Obituary of Robert Lee Kirkland

Robert Lee Kirkland, 88, of Paw Paw, formerly of Dowagiac, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Robert was born on February 13, 1930, to the late Robert L. Kirkland, Sr. and Bessie Fuller in Tunica, Mississippi, where he was one of seven children.  He moved to Yazoo City for a short time before heading to the big city of Chicago. While there, he worked for many years on the railroad, and during this time he met and married the former Hattie Turnage, on July 28, 1958.

He and Hattie moved to Dowagiac in 1967. They became members of the Second Baptist Church in Dowagiac under the leadership of Rev. H. C. Smith, where he served on the Trustee Board and the janitorial committee. Robert was a past Master Mason for Masonic Lodge 41 in Decatur. 

Robert worked for Clark Equipment Company for over 15 years before going to Sealed Power where he retired after 30 years of employment. 

He was a family man and would often show his affection by cooking or barbequing for everyone. In his free time, Robert enjoyed, hunting, fishing, building things by hand or just being outside. He always had a genuine smile on his face, even when listening to the Blues.

Robert was a loving husband, father, papa, brother-in-law, uncle and genuine friend to all. He was loved greatly and will be dearly missed.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Hattie Kirkland, brothers, Eugene Calhoun, R.J. Kirkland, George Gill; sisters, Willie Mae Martin, Alice Parker and Alberta Hampton.

He is survived by his loving children, Debra Kirkland of Chicago, Illinois, Sharon (James) Williams of Paw Paw, Michigan, Pamela (Alonzo Saxton) Kirkland of New Albany, Ohio and Amanda (Leonard) Taylor of Texas; grandchildren, Brooke and Dane Collins, Zachariah Reed, Tromaine “TJ” Bell and E'moni Saxton; two great-grandchildren, Kevion Collins-Allen and JaKya Rimpson, with one great-grandchild on the way; brother-in-law, McKinley (Michele) Greer; several special friends that he considered family, Carolyn (Yvonn) Murray, Claire Peters, Brenda Collins, Judy Donelson and Mark Wolverton; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Homegoing services will be held on Friday, April 27, 2018, at Second Baptist Church, located at 203 South Paul Street in Dowagiac at 1:00 p.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior.  Pastor Bryant L. Bacon, Sr. will be officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice At Home/Caring Circle.